Belmont notebook

BELMONT

NOTEBOOK

September

22

by John Mucciolo

A total of six stakes were contested over the weekend at Big

Sandy, and we witnessed some awesome performances. Juddmonte

Farms' homebred SIGHTSEEK (Distant View), toting 122 pounds, made

quick work of her competition while dominating the $294,000

Ruffian H. (G1) on Sunday. The Bobby Frankel trainee took over

after six furlongs in 1:10 3/5, and cruised home from there under

a hand ride by John Velazquez. The classy five-year-old was 11 1/4

lengths clear under the line, stopping the teletimer in a brisk 1:41

2/5.

Pocus Hocus (Quiet American) was game in defeat, fighting back

on the rail to earn the place spot 2 1/2 parts clear of her

nearest pursuer. Miss Loren (Arg) (Numerous) belatedly grabbed

the show spot.

A race prior, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's SENSE OF STYLE

(Thunder Gulch) kept her perfect mark intact with a super-impressive

one-length tally in the $300,000 Matron S. (G1) for sophomore

fillies. Trained by Patrick Biancone and piloted by Edgar Prado,

the bay circled the field to take over turning for home and had

to fight off a bold move by Play With Fire (Boundary) in

midstretch, gamely holding that one at bay. Her time for the one-mile

affair was 1:37 3/5, six ticks quicker than her male counterparts

in the previous race.

Balletto (UAE) (Timber Country) grabbed the place spot late

with a strong close along the rail, while the aforementioned Play

With Fire tired and finished third.

In the $300,000 Futurity S. (G2) for two-year-old colts, Char-Mari

Stable's PARK AVENUE BALL (Citidancer) swept three-wide turning

for home and proved much the best in earning his first graded

score. The chestnut rated off the pace in the oddly run race (:24,

:22 4/5 fractions for the first four furlongs), and took

advantage of a perfectly timed ride by Javier Castellano to get

the jump on the other closers. The Jimmy Ryerson trained colt

gave back $23.60 as a 10-1 overlay.

Wallstreet Scandal (Mt. Livermore) was prominent early, outrun

during that :22 4/5 quarter-mile split, and rallied well to gain

the place. Evil Minister (Deputy Minister) closed from last to

gain a graded placing.

Their were a trio of graded events hosted by Belmont on

Saturday, led by the $150,000 Jerome H. (G2) for three-year-olds.

Breaking sharply from the gate under Shaun Bridgmohan, B Wayne

Hughes' TETON FOREST (Forestry) set moderate splits while alone

on the lead, and when asked for his full run, the colt responded

en route to a six length tally. The Bob Baffert trainee completed

one-mile over sloppy going in 1:35 3/5, while never being

challenged.

Ice Wynnd Fire (Northern Afleet) gave a good account of

himself in finishing second, while Mahzouz (Charismatic) closed

well while inside to garner show honors.

SENOR SWINGER (El Prado [Ire]) may have found a new turf

course to his liking, as he romped home a four-length winner of

the $197,800 Belmont Breeders' Cup H. (G2). Run over nine soft

turf furlongs, the Churchill-loving four-year-old took over soon

after the turf for home and left little doubt who was best on

this afternoon, giving Bob Baffert his second graded conquer of

the day. The gray stopped the timer in a very nice 1:52 3/5 in

winning for the first time at Belmont.

Stroll (Pulpit), hammered at the windows to 3-5 off the shelf,

looked like he had the race in hand turning for home, but offered

little resistance to the top one. B. A. Way (Lasting Approval)

finished third in the four-horse field.

The $104,400 Floral Park H. (G3) came down to the final jump

in the weekend's most dramatic graded event, with FELINE STORY (Tale

of the Cat) finally earning her much deserved graded win.

Appearing out of the race in the lane, the determined three-year-old

filly flew home to nip Cologny (Go For Gin) at the wire beneath

Edgar Prado. The Stanley Hough conditioned bay got six sloppy

panels in 1:10 3/5, with Travelator (A. P. Jet) 2 1/2 lengths

back in the show spot.

"Chalk Watch"

As customary with many meets at Belmont Park, the percentage

of favorites winning is often higher than par when compared to

racetracks across the United States. From the past week of

racing, 47 races were run and 19 of those were captured by the

favorite for a higher than average 40 percent win rate.

Compound that with 12 of the winners being the second choice (25

percent), and you have the horse crossing the line first being

the first or second nd choice an astounding 66 percent of the

time. That number doesn't necessarily affect the "chalk"

player, but it forces the longshot bettor to become more creative

in order to turn a profit.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (9/15)

7th -- HONOR POINT (Honor Grades) made an earlier than

necessary move to reach contention in this one, and then fought

gamely to gain the place. It was the three-year-old's first

effort with Lasix and she faced a tough field, look for her on

the rebound.

SWEET LIPS (Kris S.) found some traffic in the stretch, but

closed stoutly when she found room under Aaron Gryder. I believe

this race was very strong for a NW2X, and she, too, merits a

watch in her next one.

Thursday (9/16)

7th -- PELAHM BAY (Smart Strike) raced very professionally in

dispatching of state-bred allowance foes for Pat Kelly. The two-year-old

filly got her final five-sixteenths in a very respectable :32.

8th -- CELTIC MEMORIES (Tabasco Cat) finally broke through

this allowance level after coming close on numerous occasions.

His ability to get ten furlongs was a big question mark leading

up to the race, but closing a final half-mile in :47 4/5 erased

any doubts in my mind. Kudos to jockey Jose Espinoza, who has on

various occasions proven he's an excellent turf rider, for

dictating this contest.

Friday (9/17)

3rd -- It's hard to gauge how good GALLOPING GROCER (A. P Jet)

is after crushing two less than par fields, but he's made this

game look easy, thus far. The gelding came home in fine fashion,

and it was interesting to see Velazquez ride him out for an extra

furlong after crossing the wire. Stakes company will likely be

next, possibly the October 9, Champagne S. (G1) for the

undefeated New York-bred.

4th -- MELHOR AINDA (Pulpit) exploded in the stretch and

dominated this one, finishing up in a swift 1:34 3/5. The two-year-old

was produced from a Group 1 winner, and it appears that the apple

didn't fall far from the tree. I recommend tabbing the top four

finishers of that race in their next outing.

Saturday (9/18)

3rd -- SHOP AGAIN (Wild Again) has run into some good ones and

has settled for the show spot each time. Her third place effort

here is deceptively good, because the top two finishers are cut

out to be nice. I'd watch her intently, especially at a mile or

more.

10th -- SEASIDE SALUTE (Sea Salute) was at least five-wide

around the entire backstretch and did well to get third in here,

four clear of his nearest pursuer. A decent post and sensible

trip should place him in the winners' circle before long.

Sunday (9/19)

6th -- GOLDEN LOOK (Arch) didn't do himself any favors while

running four wide for most of the race here for Shug McGaughey.

The feeling here is that this colt could be very nice, and should

appreciate more ground as he matures. His dam is a half-sister to

the millionaire and current stallion Coronado's Quest (Forty

Niner).

A Look Ahead

The plethora of stakes action slows a bit at the Long Island

track, with only a pair of graded events on tap next weekend. On

Saturday, the $150,000 Noble Damsel H. (G3) for fillies and mares

on the lawn will headline the racing. Also on Saturday, the $100,000

Ashley Cole H., a nine furlong turf fray, will take place.

Sunday is led by the $200,000 Jamaica H. (G2), a 1 1/8 mile

turf race restricted to three-year-olds. Earlier on the card, the

$100,000 Schenectady H. will be contested for Empire State-bred

fillies and mares on the main track going six panels.